First Read Approved Prohibiting Residency of Sex Offenders Within Certain Areas of the City

At the February 26 meeting, Council approved the first read of an ordinance prohibiting residency of sex offenders within certain areas of the city. Currently all neighboring cities have an ordinance in place restricting residency of sex offenders within the city. This ordinance restricts registered sex offenders from residing within 1500 feet of where youth commonly gather. Common gathering points include city parks and trails, schools, day care center, arcades, playgrounds, public and semi-public swimming pools and public and non-profit recreational facilities. 

Council received the annual report confirming the Police Department’s compliance with state law governing racial profiling. The law requires each law enforcement agency in the state to adopt a written policy on racial profiling and prohibit its practice, as well as submit a report containing the information compiled during the previous calendar year. The 2007 traffic stop data presented is as follows:

During the early work session, Council discussed the bids received for the city’s solid waste services contract. The current contract with Waste Management expires in June and the city has received bids from four different vendors. With a new contract, the city seeks to expand and enhance solid waste services as well as initiate a user-friendly, environmentally sound recycling program. Each vendor will have the opportunity to make a presentation to Council at the March 11 meeting.